The "Rage to Explain" on the Part of Several Southerners Who Have Written Books Attempting to Interpret or Explains the South

FAIN: FA-11330-76

Fred C. Hobson, Jr
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0001)

To study the "rage to explain" on the part of several Southerners who have written books attempting to interpret or “explain" the South. Grantee will investigate several important works which have propounded theories explaining the South's uniqueness, its singular character in the national life. Nineteenth and twentieth century works will be examined. Grantee will ask why Southerners are more given to self exploration and examination than inhabitants of other sections; and how the prevailing view of the South has changed as the relationship of the South to the nation has been altered.